SB317,117 22Section 117. 48.57 (3p) (c) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,52,423 48.57 (3p) (c) 2m. The county department or, in a county having a population
24of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department
25of justice, may conduct a background investigation of any of the employees or

1prospective employees of any person who is receiving payments under sub. (3n) who
2have or would have regular contact with the child for whom payments are being
3made and of each adult resident at any time that the county department or
4department considers to be appropriate.
SB317,118 5Section 118. 48.57 (3p) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,52,136 48.57 (3p) (c) 3. Before a person who is receiving payments under sub. (3m) or
7(3n) may employ any person in a position in which that person would have regular
8contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or permit any person
9to be an adult resident, the county department or, in a county having a population
10of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department
11of justice, shall conduct a background investigation of the prospective employee or
12prospective adult resident unless that person has already been investigated under
13subd. 1., 2. or 2m.
SB317,119 14Section 119. 48.57 (3p) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,53,215 48.57 (3p) (d) If the person being investigated under par. (b) or (c) is a
16nonresident, or at any time within the 5 years preceding the date of the application
17has been a nonresident, or if the county department or, in a county having a
18population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department determines that the person's
19employment, licensing or state court records provide a reasonable basis for further
20investigation, the county department or department shall require the person to be
21fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards, each bearing a complete set of the person's
22fingerprints, or by other technologies approved by law enforcement agencies. The
23department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards or
24fingerprints by other technologies to the federal bureau of investigation for the

1purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining records
2of his or her criminal arrest and conviction.
SB317,120 3Section 120. 48.57 (3p) (e) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,53,64 48.57 (3p) (e) (intro.) Upon request, a person being investigated under par. (b)
5or (c) shall provide the county department or, in a county having a population of
6500,000 750,000 or more, the department with all of the following information:
SB317,121 7Section 121. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,53,198 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1. The county department or, in a county having a population
9of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may provisionally approve the making
10of payments under sub. (3m) based on the applicant's statement under sub. (3m) (am)
114m. The county department or department may not finally approve the making of
12payments under sub. (3m) unless the county department or department receives
13information from the department of justice indicating that the conviction record of
14the applicant under the law of this state is satisfactory according to the criteria
15specified in par. (g) 1. to 3. or payment is approved under par. (h) 4. The county
16department or department may make payments under sub. (3m) conditioned on the
17receipt of information from the federal bureau of investigation indicating that the
18person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is
19satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3.
SB317,122 20Section 122. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,54,1521 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1m. The county department or, in a county having a population
22of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not enter into the agreement under
23sub. (3n) (am) 6. unless the county department or department receives information
24from the department of justice relating to the conviction record of the applicant under
25the law of this state and that record indicates either that the applicant has not been

1arrested or convicted or that the applicant has been arrested or convicted but the
2director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000
3750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records
4under this subdivision determines that the conviction record is satisfactory because
5it does not include any arrest or conviction that the director or person designated by
6the secretary determines is likely to adversely affect the child or the applicant's
7ability to care for the child. The county department or, in a county having a
8population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under
9sub. (3n) conditioned on the receipt of information from the federal bureau of
10investigation indicating that the person's conviction record under the law of any
11other state or under federal law is satisfactory because the conviction record does not
12include any arrest or conviction that the director of the county department or, in a
13county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the
14secretary to review conviction records under this subdivision determines is likely to
15adversely affect the child or the applicant's ability to care for the child.
SB317,123 16Section 123. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,55,2017 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2. A person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may
18provisionally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular
19contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or provisionally
20permit a person to be an adult resident if the person receiving those payments states
21to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
22more, the department that the employee or adult resident does not have any arrests
23or convictions that could adversely affect the child or the ability of the person
24receiving payments to care for the child. A person receiving payments under sub.
25(3m) may not finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have

1regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally
2permit a person to be an adult resident until the county department or, in a county
3having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department receives
4information from the department of justice indicating that the person's conviction
5record under the law of this state is satisfactory according to the criteria specified in
6par. (g) 1. to 3. and the county department or, in a county having a population of
7500,000 750,000 or more, the department so advises the person receiving payments
8under sub. (3m) or until a decision is made under par. (h) 4. to permit a person who
9is receiving payments under sub. (3m) to employ a person in a position in which that
10person would have regular contact with the child for whom payments are being made
11or to permit a person to be an adult resident and the county department or, in a
12county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department so advises
13the person receiving payments under sub. (3m). A person receiving payments under
14sub. (3m) may finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have
15regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally
16permit a person to be an adult resident conditioned on the receipt of information from
17the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
18more, the department that the federal bureau of investigation indicates that the
19person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is
20satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3.
SB317,124 21Section 124. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,57,422 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2m. A person receiving payments under sub. (3n) may
23provisionally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular
24contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or provisionally
25permit a person to be an adult resident if the person receiving those payments states

1to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
2more, the department that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the employee or adult
3resident does not have any arrests or convictions that could adversely affect the child
4or the ability of the person receiving payments to care for the child. A person
5receiving payment under sub. (3n) may not finally employ a person in a position in
6which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those
7payments are being made or finally permit a person to be an adult resident until the
8county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more,
9the department receives information from the department of justice relating to the
10person's conviction record under the law of this state and that record indicates either
11that the person has not been arrested or convicted or that the person has been
12arrested or convicted but the director of the county department or, in a county having
13a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to
14review conviction records under this subdivision determines that the conviction
15record is satisfactory because it does not include any arrest or conviction that is likely
16to adversely affect the child or the ability of the person receiving payments to care
17for the child and the county department or department so advises the person
18receiving payments under sub. (3n). A person receiving payments under sub. (3n)
19may finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular
20contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally permit a
21person to be an adult resident conditioned on the receipt of information from the
22county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more,
23the department that the federal bureau of investigation indicates that the person's
24conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is satisfactory
25because the conviction record does not include any arrest or conviction that the

1director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000
2750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records
3under this subdivision determines is likely to adversely affect the child or the ability
4of the person receiving payments to care for the child.
SB317,125 5Section 125. 48.57 (3p) (g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,57,116 48.57 (3p) (g) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (h), the county department or,
7in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not
8make payments to a person applying for payments under sub. (3m) and a person
9receiving payments under sub. (3m) may not employ a person in a position in which
10that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are
11being made or permit a person to be an adult resident if any of the following applies:
SB317,126 12Section 126. 48.57 (3p) (g) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,57,2513 48.57 (3p) (g) 3. The person has been convicted of a violation of ch. 940, 944,
14or 948, other than a violation of s. 940.291, 940.34, 944.36, 948.45, 948.63, or 948.70,
15or of a violation of the law of any other state or federal law that would be a violation
16of ch. 940, 944, or 948, other than a violation of s. 940.291, 940.34, 944.36, 948.45,
17948.63, or 948.70, if committed in this state, except that a county department or, in
18a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make
19payments to a person applying for payments under sub. (3m) and a person receiving
20payments under sub. (3m) may employ in a position in which the person would have
21regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or permit
22to be an adult resident a person who has been convicted of a violation of s. 944.30
23(1m), 944.31, or 944.33 or of a violation of the law of any other state or federal law
24that would be a violation of s. 944.30 (1m), 944.31, or 944.33 if committed in this
25state, if that violation occurred 20 years or more before the date of the investigation.
SB317,127
1Section 127. 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,58,82 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. The request for review shall be filed with the director of the
3county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more,
4with the person designated by the secretary to receive requests for review filed under
5this subdivision. If the governing body of an Indian tribe has entered into an
6agreement under sub. (3t) to administer the program under this subsection and sub.
7(3m), the request for review shall be filed with the person designated by that
8governing body to receive requests for review filed under this subdivision.
SB317,128 9Section 128. 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,58,1910 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) The director of the county department, the person
11designated by the governing body of an Indian tribe or, in a county having a
12population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary shall
13review the denial of payments or the prohibition on employment or being an adult
14resident to determine if the conviction record on which the denial or prohibition is
15based includes any arrests, convictions, or penalties that are likely to adversely
16affect the child or the ability of the kinship care relative to care for the child. In
17reviewing the denial or prohibition, the director of the county department, the person
18designated by the governing body of the Indian tribe or the person designated by the
19secretary shall consider all of the following factors:
SB317,129 20Section 129. 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,59,721 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. If the director of the county department, the person designated
22by the governing body of the Indian tribe or, in a county having a population of
23500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary determines that the
24conviction record on which the denial of payments or the prohibition on employment
25or being an adult resident is based does not include any arrests, convictions, or

1penalties that are likely to adversely affect the child or the ability of the kinship care
2relative to care for the child, the director of the county department, the person
3designated by the governing body of the Indian tribe, or the person designated by the
4secretary may approve the making of payments under sub. (3m) or may permit a
5person receiving payments under sub. (3m) to employ a person in a position in which
6that person would have regular contact with the child for whom payments are being
7made or permit a person to be an adult resident.
SB317,130 8Section 130. 48.57 (3p) (hm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,59,179 48.57 (3p) (hm) A county department or, in a county having a population of
10500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not make payments to a person under
11sub. (3n) and a person receiving payments under sub. (3n) may not employ a person
12in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom
13payments are being made or permit a person to be an adult resident if the director
14of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
15more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this
16paragraph determines that the person has any arrest or conviction that is likely to
17adversely affect the child or the person's ability to care for the child.
SB317,131 18Section 131. 48.57 (3p) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,59,2319 48.57 (3p) (i) A county department and, in a county having a population of
20500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall keep confidential all information
21received under this subsection from the department of justice or the federal bureau
22of investigation. Such information is not subject to inspection or copying under s.
2319.35.
SB317,132 24Section 132. 48.57 (3p) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,60,4
148.57 (3p) (j) A county department or, in a county having a population of
2500,000 750,000 or more, the department may charge a fee for conducting a
3background investigation under this subsection. The fee may not exceed the
4reasonable cost of conducting the investigation.
SB317,133 5Section 133. 48.58 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,60,8 648.58 County children's home in populous counties. (intro.) Any existing
7county children's home in counties with a population of 500,000 750,000 or more may
8do any of the following:
SB317,134 9Section 134. 48.59 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,61,210 48.59 (1) The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000
11750,000 or more, the department or an agency under contract with the department
12shall investigate the personal and family history and environment of any child
13transferred to its legal custody or placed under its supervision under s. 48.345 and
14of every expectant mother of an unborn child placed under its supervision under s.
1548.347 and make any physical or mental examinations of the child or expectant
16mother considered necessary to determine the type of care necessary for the child or
17expectant mother. The county department, department or agency shall screen a
18child or expectant mother who is examined under this subsection to determine
19whether the child or expectant mother is in need of special treatment or care because
20of alcohol or other drug abuse, mental illness or severe emotional disturbance. The
21county department, department or agency shall keep a complete record of the
22information received from the court, the date of reception, all available data on the
23personal and family history of the child or expectant mother, the results of all tests
24and examinations given the child or expectant mother and a complete history of all
25placements of the child while in the legal custody or under the supervision of the

1county department, department or agency or of the expectant mother while under
2the supervision of the county department, department or agency.
SB317,135 3Section 135. 48.651 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,61,164 48.651 (1) (intro.) Except as provided in s. 49.155 (4) (c), no person, other than
5a child care center licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s.
6120.13 (14), may receive payment for providing child care services for an individual
7who is determined eligible for a child care subsidy under s. 49.155 unless the person
8is certified, according to the standards adopted by the department under s. 49.155
9(1d), by the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more,
10a county department, or an agency with which the department contracts under sub.
11(2). To be certified under this section, a person must meet the minimum
12requirements for certification established by the department under s. 49.155 (1d),
13meet the requirements specified in s. 48.685, and pay the fee specified in sub. (2).
14The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county
15department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall certify the following
16categories of child care providers:
SB317,136 17Section 136. 48.651 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,62,318 48.651 (2) The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000
19or more or a county department shall certify child care providers under sub. (1) or
20the department may contract with a Wisconsin Works agency, as defined in s. 49.001
21(9), child care resource and referral agency, or other agency to certify child care
22providers under sub. (1) in a particular geographic area or for a particular Indian
23tribal unit. The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
24more or a county department that certifies child care providers under sub. (1) may
25charge a fee to cover the costs of certifying those providers. An agency contracted

1with under this subsection may charge a fee specified by the department to
2supplement the amount provided by the department under the contract for certifying
3child care providers.
SB317,137 4Section 137. 48.651 (2c) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,62,65 48.651 (2c) (a) Reimburse a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
6more for all approved, allowable certification costs, as provided in s. 49.826 (2) (c).
SB317,138 7Section 138. 48.651 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,62,118 48.651 (2m) The department in a county having a population of 500,000
9750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2)
10shall provide the department of health services with information about each person
11who is denied certification for a reason specified in s. 48.685 (4m) (a) 1. to 5.
SB317,139 12Section 139. 48.651 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,62,2113 48.651 (3) (a) If a child care provider certified under sub. (1) is convicted of a
14serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685
15(1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the child care
16provider is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a serious crime on or
17after his or her 12th birthday, the department in a county having a population of
18500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under
19sub. (2) shall revoke the certification of the child care provider immediately upon
20providing written notice of revocation and the grounds for revocation and an
21explanation of the process for appealing the revocation.
SB317,140 22Section 140. 48.651 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,63,923 48.651 (3) (b) If a child care provider certified under sub. (1) is the subject of
24a pending criminal charge alleging that the person has committed a serious crime,
25as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 (1) (ag) 1. a.

1or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the child care provider is
2the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the
3person has committed a serious crime on or after his or her 12th birthday, the
4department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county
5department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall immediately suspend
6the certification of the child care provider until the department, county department,
7or agency obtains information regarding the final disposition of the charge or
8delinquency petition indicating that the person is not ineligible to be certified under
9sub. (1).
SB317,141 10Section 141. 48.658 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,63,1811 48.658 (4) (a) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this
12section. Those rules shall include a rule requiring the department, whenever it
13inspects a child care provider that is licensed under s. 48.65 (1) or established or
14contracted for under s. 120.13 (14), and a county department or an agency contracted
15with under s. 48.651 (2)
, whenever it inspects a child care provider that is certified
16under s. 48.651, to inspect the child safety alarm of each child care vehicle that is
17used to transport children to and from the child care provider to determine whether
18the child safety alarm is in good working order.
SB317,142 19Section 142. 48.685 (4m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,64,620 48.685 (4m) (a) (intro.) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, and except as provided in
21par. (ad) and sub. (5), the department may not license, or continue or renew the
22license of, a person to operate an entity, the department in a county having a
23population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted
24with under s. 48.651 (2) may not certify a child care provider under s. 48.651, a county
25department or a child welfare agency may not license, or renew the license of, a foster

1home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or
2more or a county department may not provide subsidized guardianship payments to
3an interim caretaker under s. 48.623 (6), and a school board may not contract with
4a person under s. 120.13 (14), if the department, county department, contracted
5agency, child welfare agency, or school board knows or should have known any of the
6following:
SB317,143 7Section 143. 48.685 (4m) (ad) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,64,188 48.685 (4m) (ad) The department, a county department, or a child welfare
9agency may license a foster home under s. 48.62; the department may license a child
10care center under s. 48.65; the department in a county having a population of 500,000
11750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651
12(2) may certify a child care provider under s. 48.651;the department in a county
13having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department may provide
14subsidized guardianship payments to an interim caretaker under s. 48.623 (6); and
15a school board may contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), conditioned on the
16receipt of the information specified in sub. (2) (am) and (ar) indicating that the person
17is not ineligible to be licensed, certified, provided payments, or contracted with for
18a reason specified in par. (a) 1. to 5.
SB317,144 19Section 144. 48.685 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,65,1220 48.685 (5) (a) Subject to pars. (bm) and (br), the department may license to
21operate an entity, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000
22or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may
23certify under s. 48.651, a county department or a child welfare agency may license
24under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more
25or a county department may provide subsidized guardianship payments under s.

148.623 (6), and a school board may contract with under s. 120.13 (14) a person who
2otherwise may not be licensed, certified, or contracted with for a reason specified in
3sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 5., and an entity may employ, contract with, or permit to reside at
4the entity or permit to reside with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. am. of the
5entity a person who otherwise may not be employed, provided payments, contracted
6with, or permitted to reside at the entity or with that caregiver for a reason specified
7in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5., if the person demonstrates to the department, the county
8department, the contracted agency, the child welfare agency, or the school board or,
9in the case of an entity that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the
10person or body designated by the Indian tribe under sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and
11convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the
12department by rule or by the tribe that he or she has been rehabilitated.
SB317,145 13Section 145. 48.685 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,66,1014 48.685 (5m) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license
15a person to operate an entity, a county department or a child welfare agency may
16refuse to license a foster home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a
17population of 750,000 or more or a county department may refuse to provide
18subsidized guardianship payments to a person under s. 48.623 (6), and an entity may
19refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit a nonclient resident to reside
20at the entity or with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. am. of the entity if the
21person has been convicted of an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the
22estimation of the department, county department, child welfare agency, or entity,
23substantially related to the care of a client. Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the
24department may refuse to license a person to operate a child care center, the
25department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county

1department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may refuse to certify
2a child care provider under s. 48.651, a school board may refuse to contract with a
3person under s. 120.13 (14), and a child care center that is licensed under s. 48.65 or
4established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) or a child care provider that is
5certified under s. 48.651 may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit
6a nonclient resident to reside at the child care center or child care provider if the
7person has been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 12th
8birthday for an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of
9the department, county department, contracted agency, school board, child care
10center, or child care provider, substantially related to the care of a client.
SB317,146 11Section 146. 48.685 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,66,2412 48.685 (6) (a) The department shall require any person who applies for
13issuance, continuation, or renewal of a license to operate an entity, the department
14in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department,
15or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) shall require any child care provider
16who applies for initial certification under s. 48.651 or for renewal of that certification,
17a county department or a child welfare agency shall require any person who applies
18for issuance or renewal of a license to operate a foster home under s. 48.62, the
19department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county
20department shall require any person who applies for subsidized guardianship
21payments under s. 48.623 (6), and a school board shall require any person who
22proposes to contract with the school board under s. 120.13 (14) or to renew a contract
23under that subsection, to complete a background information form that is provided
24by the department.
SB317,147 25Section 147. 48.75 (1b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,67,3
148.75 (1b) In this section, "public licensing agency" means a county
2department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the
3department.
SB317,148 4Section 148. 48.75 (1g) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,67,75 48.75 (1g) (a) 4. The county of the public licensing agency issuing the license
6has a population of 500,000 750,000 or more and the placement is for adoption under
7s. 48.833 (1), 48.835, or 48.837.
SB317,149 8Section 149. 48.831 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,67,139 48.831 (4) (c) If the court finds that adoption is not in the child's best interest,
10the court shall order that the child be placed in the guardianship of the department
11and place the child in the custody of a county department or, in a county having a
12population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or an agency under contract
13with the department.
SB317,150 14Section 150. 48.839 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,67,1715 48.839 (4) (b) Shall transfer legal custody of the child to the department, in a
16county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, to a county department or
17to a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60.
SB317,151 18Section 151. 48.88 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,68,919 48.88 (2) (c) If a stepparent has filed a petition for adoption and no agency has
20guardianship of the child, the court shall order the department, in a county having
21a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or a county department or, with the consent
22of the department in a county having a population of less than 500,000 750,000 or
23a licensed child welfare agency, order the department or the child welfare agency to
24conduct a screening, consisting of no more than one interview with the petitioner and
25a check of the petitioner's background through public records, including records

1maintained by the department or any county department under s. 48.981. The
2department, county department or child welfare agency that conducts the screening
3shall file a report of the screening with the court within 30 days. After reviewing the
4report, the court may proceed to act on the petition, may order the department in a
5county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more or the county department to
6conduct an investigation as described under par. (a) (intro.) or may order the
7department in a county having a population of less than 500,000 750,000 or a
8licensed child welfare agency to make the investigation if the department or child
9welfare agency consents.
SB317,152 10Section 152. 48.981 (1) (ag) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,68,1511 48.981 (1) (ag) "Agency" means a county department, the department in a
12county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more or a licensed child welfare
13agency under contract with a county department or the department in a county
14having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more to perform investigations under this
15section.
SB317,153 16Section 153. 48.981 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,68,2217 48.981 (3) (a) 1. A person required to report under sub. (2) shall immediately
18inform, by telephone or personally, the county department or, in a county having a
19population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare
20agency under contract with the department or the sheriff or city, village, or town
21police department of the facts and circumstances contributing to a suspicion of child
22abuse or neglect or of unborn child abuse or to a belief that abuse or neglect will occur.
SB317,154 23Section 154. 48.981 (3) (a) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,69,324 48.981 (3) (a) 2. (intro.) The sheriff or police department shall within 12 hours,
25exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, refer to the county department

1or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or
2a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department all of the
3following types of cases reported to the sheriff or police department:
SB317,155 4Section 155. 48.981 (3) (a) 2d. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,69,95 48.981 (3) (a) 2d. The sheriff or police department may refer to the county
6department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the
7department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
8a case reported to the sheriff or police department in which a person who is not a
9caregiver is suspected of abuse or of threatened abuse of a child.
SB317,156 10Section 156. 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,69,1811 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. If the person making the investigation is an employee of the
12county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more,
13the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the
14department and he or she determines that it is consistent with the child's best
15interest in terms of physical safety and physical health to remove the child from his
16or her home for immediate protection, he or she shall take the child into custody
17under s. 48.08 (2) or 48.19 (1) (c) and deliver the child to the intake worker under s.
1848.20.
SB317,157 19Section 157. 48.981 (3) (c) 2m. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,70,220 48.981 (3) (c) 2m. a. If the person making the investigation is an employee of
21the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or
22more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the
23department and he or she determines that it is consistent with the best interest of
24the unborn child in terms of physical safety and physical health to take the expectant
25mother into custody for the immediate protection of the unborn child, he or she shall

1take the expectant mother into custody under s. 48.08 (2), 48.19 (1) (cm) or 48.193
2(1) (c) and deliver the expectant mother to the intake worker under s. 48.20 or 48.203.
SB317,158 3Section 158. 48.981 (3) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,70,164 48.981 (3) (c) 3. If the county department or, in a county having a population
5of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under
6contract with the department determines that a child, any member of the child's
7family or the child's guardian or legal custodian is in need of services or that the
8expectant mother of an unborn child is in need of services, the county department,
9department or licensed child welfare agency shall offer to provide appropriate
10services or to make arrangements for the provision of services. If the child's parent,
11guardian or legal custodian or the expectant mother refuses to accept the services,
12the county department, department or licensed child welfare agency may request
13that a petition be filed under s. 48.13 alleging that the child who is the subject of the
14report or any other child in the home is in need of protection or services or that a
15petition be filed under s. 48.133 alleging that the unborn child who is the subject of
16the report is in need of protection or services.
SB317,159 17Section 159. 48.981 (3) (c) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,71,718 48.981 (3) (c) 4. The county department or, in a county having a population of
19500,000 750,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under
20contract with the department shall determine, within 60 days after receipt of a report
21that the county department, department, or licensed child welfare agency
22investigates under subd. 1., whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to
23occur. The determination shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence
24produced by the investigation. A determination that abuse or neglect has occurred
25may not be based solely on the fact that the child's parent, guardian, or legal

1custodian in good faith selects and relies on prayer or other religious means for
2treatment of disease or for remedial care of the child. In making a determination that
3emotional damage has occurred, the county department or, in a county having a
4population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare
5agency under contract with the department shall give due regard to the culture of
6the subjects. This subdivision does not prohibit a court from ordering medical
7services for the child if the child's health requires it.
SB317,160 8Section 160. 48.981 (3) (c) 5m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317,71,249 48.981 (3) (c) 5m. The county department or, in a county having a population
10of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under
11contract with the department may include in a determination under subd. 4. a
12determination that a specific person has abused or neglected a child. If the county
13department, department, or licensed child welfare agency makes an initial
14determination that a specific person has abused or neglected a child, the county
15department, department, or licensed child welfare agency shall provide that person
16with an opportunity for a review of that initial determination in accordance with
17rules promulgated by the department before the county department, department, or
18licensed child welfare agency may make a final determination that the person has
19abused or neglected a child. Within 5 days after the date of a final determination that
20a specific person has abused or neglected a child, the county department,
21department, or licensed child welfare agency shall notify the person in writing of the
22determination, the person's right to a contested case hearing on the determination
23under ch. 227, and the procedures under sub. 5p. by which the person may receive
24that hearing.
SB317,161 25Section 161. 48.981 (3) (c) 5r. of the statutes is amended to read:
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